Blog


Apr 17

Interview with Asher Griffin, Part 2

2017 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Announcement

This is the second in a two-part interview with Asher Griffin, DSC’s new Minister of Theological Training. In Part 1 we learned a bit about Asher’s background and how he met Brooke. Here in Part 2 we’ll learn about some of the larger influences on his life.

Asher2

In Part 2 we’ll focus on some of the influences on your life. What’s your favorite book of the Bible and why?

Psalms. I love this book because I think it captures everything God wants me to see, know, and feel about Him. And you can’t make sense of any of that without hoping for and seeing the Son of God as the Savior. I’m not a fan of poetry (always dreaded it in English classes). But with the Psalms, I can pray to God, learn about Him, see His work, and hope in His will.

What book or author has had the most impact on your life, besides the Bible?

There are so many! Jerry Bridges’, The Practice of Godliness, was so helpful to me in college, and I’m always trying to read it with other people. R.C. Sproul’s, The Holiness of God, is a book that I wish I read every year. Don Whitney’s, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, was helpful in college and in seminary to help me craft a devotional, spiritual life. Don’s section on prayer (now its own book) completely changed my prayer life.

But John Bunyan’s, Pilgrim’s Progress, is, I think, the best book ever written. I’ve read it several times and every time there’s something more that shows me the goodness of God. I try to reread it every year.

Tell us about the most influential sermon you’ve heard?

I started listening to Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermons in college, and remember being mesmerized by his sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10 titled: “But God”. I was out on a jog around OSU’s campus and by the end I was just standing on a sidewalk listening to the last 20 minutes feeling overwhelmed God’s love.

For what seems like most of my life, I’ve been surrounded by good preaching. Growing up, my parents would listen to John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul every time we were in the car. I grew up in a great, expositional preaching church. And while I was in college, iTunes exploded and friends would introduce me to preachers like Alistair Begg, John Piper, Matt Chandler, and many more.

How do you like to spend your down time? Any hobbies?

Brooke and I can truly lounge. And we enjoy hanging out with people, having coffee, and having people over to our house. Beyond that, I like tinkering around on house projects, backpacking/camping, and reading. When I lived in Virginia, I would cycle a lot. I plan to get back into that.

Okay, now a few left fielders. What is the dumbest thing you did as a kid?

My mom has taught gym for most of my life. So, after school, we were in a constant onslaught of climbing, scootering, throwing anything, and jumping off everything. Let’s just say that glow-in-the-dark roller blade hockey in the halls was just the beginning. It’s amazing I’m still alive.

Any odd talents that we should know about up front?

I have this weird ability of recalling things or books by their color. For example: I used to organize all my books by the book cover’s color, and I could always find things. What’s the book by J.I. Packer on godliness? I have no idea, but it’s green. This annoyed and freaked people out so I changed it up. And now I have no idea where any book is.

What’s your favorite animal, and why?

I like dogs. Brooke LOVES dogs. Dogs are fun, up for anything, and dependable. Brooke and I have both had dogs as pets growing up. Some were amazing, and some are truly laughable. And Brooke asks if we can get a puppy nearly every day.

Without going to the internet, do you know what a Lobo is? An Isotope? Carne Adovada?

Yeh, Lobo basketball! I want to see a game in The Pit. I’ve seen the Isotopes play in Oklahoma City several times. And Carne Adovada sounds like something I’d eat, but I don’t know what it is.

And, for one last question, red or green?

Christmas.